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Before I started planning my trip to Andalusia, a sunny region of southern Spain, I hadn’t heard of the beach town of Cadiz. Once I came across it, though, I was adamant that I had to fit a Cadiz day trip into my already packed trip itinerary!
With some creativity, I managed to find time to visit Cadiz for one day, as a day trip from Seville, and boy, it didn’t disappoint. If you’re looking for a relaxed and authentic beach destination in Andalusia, look no further. You need to visit Cadiz!
Cadiz is the perfect bite-sized city, and although I wish I had been able to stay longer to have more beach time, you really can see it all in one day.
So, if you’ve only got one day in Cadiz and want to know how to spend it, this post will be helpful. In this day trip to Cadiz itinerary I’ll cover all of the best things to do and see in the city, as well as how to get here, where to eat, and when to visit.
Let’s go!
Table of Contents
How to Get to Cadiz
Getting to Cadiz by Train
If you’re visiting Cadiz on a day trip, you’re most likely to arrive via train. Luckily, the train station is very close to the city centre. Cadiz is connected by train to many towns and cities in Andalusia, such as Cordoba and Granada, but the most popular way to visit Cadiz is via Seville.
There are numerous direct trains every day running between Seville and Cadiz. The train journey takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes.
To get to Cadiz city centre from the train station you’ll only have to walk for 10 minutes. If you’re heading further into the city, or straight to the beaches, you may want to catch a bus or taxi.
Getting to Cadiz by Bus
The bus station in Cadiz is just a 5-minute walk from the city centre, making it very convenient to get into the city by foot. Direct buses run between Cadiz and many of the major nearby cities such as Seville, Tarifa, and Granada.
Nearest Airport to Cadiz, Spain
The closest airport to Cadiz is Jerez (code XRY). Jerez Airport is around 40 km away from Cadiz, and you can catch a direct train straight from Jerez Airport to Cadiz, which takes around 45 minutes. Many of Europe’s budget airlines fly to Cadiz, such as Ryanair and Easyjet, so it’s often possible to find cheap flights here from major European cities.
Another option is to fly into Seville Airport (code SVQ), which is 130 km from Cadiz. However, if you just want to head straight to Cadiz without spending time in Seville first, this will be a bit of a headache.
You’ll have to catch the EA airport bus from Seville airport to Seville train station, which takes around 35 minutes. You’ll then need to take the train to Cadiz, which takes 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Cadiz Day Trip Itinerary
Stop 1: Chocolate and Churros
If you arrive in Cadiz bright and early chances are you’ll need some breakfast and coffee to start the day. The perfect way to have breakfast like the Spanish do is by enjoying some chocolate and churros!
There are a few places in Cadiz that offer chocolate and churros but I went to La Cocina Secreta and I can recommend it. It’s a casual canteen-style cafe filled with locals and it’s affordable. What’s not to love? A big portion of churros with hot chocolate sauce to dip into costs €4, and a cafe con leche (latte) costs €1.50.
Stop 2: Cadiz Cathedral
With a full belly, it’s time to start sightseeing in Cadiz! The first stop on this Cadiz day trip itinerary is the impressive and huge Cadiz Cathedral. This Roman Catholic Cathedral was built between 1722 and 1838, taking 116 years to complete.
This Cathedral is one of the top landmarks in Cadiz, and, even if you’re not interested in Cathedrals, you won’t be able to deny that it looks cool. If you want to go inside, entry costs €7, which (in my humble opinion) is absolutely bonkers!
I’m firmly in the “once you’ve seen the inside of a few European cathedrals you’ve seen them all”, so I decided to just admire it from the outside for free. If going inside the cathedral is at the top of your Cadiz to-do list, though, go ahead and explore!
Stop 3: Roman Theatre
Next up is one of the most unusual things to do in Cadiz – the Roman Theatre! Here, you’ll find the excavated remains of a Roman Theatre which was built around 70 BC. It’s the second-largest Roman Theatre in Spain, and one of the oldest attractions in Cadiz.
Entry is free, and as well as being able to wander around and explore the ruins you’ll also get to check out the free museum, which gives you a brief overview of the history of the theatre.
Stop 4: Cadiz Market
Near the Roman Theatre is the Cadiz Market, one of the most popular street markets in Andalusia. With over 200 stalls, this market is huge and sells everything from fresh fish to local cheese, handmade souvenirs and fresh fruit and vegetables.
Unlike many markets in Europe, the locals still use this market. In fact, you’ll hear Spanish spoken almost exclusively here, so you know it’s one of the locals’ favourite spots. It’s seen as the heart of the city, where people meet up to shop, eat and catch up with one another.
Even if you’re not looking to buy anything I recommend taking a walk around to soak up the vibe of local daily life in Cadiz. What’s more, entry is totally free.
Stop 5: Torre Tavira
The Tavira Tower, or Torre Tavira in Spanish, is an observation tower built in the 1700s. From the top of the tower, you’ll get the best 360-degree views over the city – it’s the ideal opportunity to orientate yourself in the city and snap some epic photos.
You need to book your visit to the Torre Tavira in advance, which you can do on their website. Entry costs €7 per person.
Stop 6: Explore La Viña
La Viña is the traditional fisherman’s quarter of Cadiz, where you’ll get to experience what areas of the city must have looked like hundreds of years ago. This is also the area of Cadiz where you’ll find some of the best Andalusian tapas bars.
I recommend spending 15-20 minutes just wandering aimlessly around this area, checking out the authentic side of Cadiz as you get lost down tiny cobbled alleyways with washing hanging out to dry and cats lazing in the sun.
Stop 7: Lunch at La Tabernita
After you’ve explored La Viña you’ll probably fancy some tapas yourself – after all, the smell of delicious food is inescapable in La Viña!
I opted to dine at La Tabernita and I can’t recommend it highly enough! This place is absolutely buzzing, and if you can snag one of its outdoor tables on the street, drenched in sun, you’ll truly feel like you’re on an Andalusian holiday.
Andalusian tapas is what you’ll find here, as well as authentic local wine and beer. Prices are very reasonable, with each tapas dish costing around €2.60. This is the perfect place to dine if you’re visiting Cadiz on a budget!
In Spain, lunch is the main meal of the day, and people happily spend hours dining and drinking at lunchtime. Because of this, the waiters will happily leave you alone and won’t typically approach you unless you wave them over.
Don’t be offended – this is seen as good service in Spain, as the waiters want you to feel comfortable to spend as long as you like there without feeling hurried.
Stop 8: La Caleta Beach
After lunch, you’ll probably want to spend some time lounging on the beach, and, provided the weather is on your side, La Caleta beach is the place to be!
I have something to admit here. La Caleta beach is hardly one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever been to. However, it does feel particularly lovely to sit on the beach in the sun after lunch – especially if, like me, you’re visiting Cadiz in the winter months.
It feels like you’re cheating the system to be able to lounge on a beach in Europe in winter!
Stop 9: Santa Catalina Castle
Once you’ve got your sun fix, head over to the northern end of the beach, where you’ll find the Santa Catalina Castle. This 17th-century castle complex is free to enter and offers absolutely dazzling views over the Cadiz coastline.
It was built on the order of King Phillip II to defend Cadiz from invasion, and it’s still in remarkable shape when you consider how old it is.
This isn’t a huge castle, and there isn’t much information available on site, so a visit here is mostly about enjoying the lovely sea views.
Stop 10: Genovés Park
This picturesque park, just a short walk from the beach, is Cadiz’s green oasis, the perfect place to spend a while lounging with a book or just taking in its beauty.
As well as its large number of trees and plants, you’ll also find statues, fountains, benches to chill on and a lake with a waterfall. Cool, right?
Stop 11: Alameda Apodaca Gardens
If you continue strolling along the coast after Genovés Park, you’ll come across Alameda Apodaca Gardens. This photogenic park is another tranquil part of Cadiz to relax in, with views over the sea. Strolling around here at sunset is one of the most romantic things to do in Cadiz.
Stop 12: Wander Cadiz’s Old Town
To round off your day, take a stroll around Cadiz’s old town, a warren of narrow cobbled streets, sunny plazas with fountains, and brightly coloured buildings.
Where to Stay in Cadiz
I was originally planning to stay in Cadiz overnight, but logistically I just couldn’t fit this into my itinerary. If you have the opportunity to stay overnight in Cadiz, I highly recommend it! I imagine seeing the sunset in Cadiz once all of the daytrippers have gone home is magical.
Here are my top picks for where to stay in Cadiz based on my personal research:
Hostel
Cadiz surprisingly has some great hostels to choose from – perfect for those of you travelling solo, or on a tight budget. Between this top-rated hostel and this other highly recommended hostel you can’t go wrong in Cadiz.
Both have a rating of 9.2/10 from fellow travellers, both are said to be very social, and both are budget-friendly, with prices hovering around €18 per night for a bed in a dorm room.
Budget Hotel
If you’re looking to stay in the heart of Cadiz Old Town without breaking the bank, look no further than this local guesthouse! It has everything you’ll need for a budget break in Cadiz, but you’ll get to enjoy the privacy of your own room – far better than a hostel! With prices starting at €36 per night for a double room, there’s no better place to stay in Cadiz on a budget.
Click here to check availability & book!
Mid-Range Hotel
If you have a comfortable travel budget and are looking for something slightly more upmarket, these boutique apartments will be perfect for you. Not only will you get your own full-furnished apartment to stay in, but you’ll also get to use the pool – perfect if you’re visiting Cadiz in the warmer months!
If that wasn’t enough, the apartments are just 500 metres from the beach. Perfect! Prices start at around €65 per night per apartment.
Click here to check availability & book!
Is One Day in Cadiz Enough?
One day in Cadiz is plenty of time to check out all of the city’s top attractions, explore the Old Town on foot, take a quick break on the beach and sample some local tapas.
If the only way you’ll have time to visit Cadiz is on a day trip squeezed into your Seville itinerary it’s still worth it!
However, if you’re looking to spend time relaxing at the beach or just wandering around in the sun, you’ll definitely want to extend your stay to two or three days in Cadiz.
Although one day in Cadiz is enough time to get a taste of the city, you’ll probably (like me) be already planning your return trip to the city before you’ve even left.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Cadiz
Unlike many places in Europe, there isn’t really a bad time to visit Cadiz. For pleasant weather without huge crowds, spring (April-May) is the best time to visit Cadiz, with the temperatures hovering around 18-22°C. Summer (July-August) is the busiest time in Cadiz, and you’ll notice that the price of accommodation will climb significantly.
The wettest months of the year in Cadiz are December and January, when there are on average 7 days of rain per month. However, I visited Cadiz in January and I actually thought it was the PERFECT time to visit!
Not only was it sunny and beautiful in Cadiz in January (it was around 18°C when I visited), but it was also peaceful. What’s more, Cadiz is one of the few places in Europe that’s actually warm in winter. If you’re looking for some winter sun in Europe, Cadiz is the ideal place to go.
Best Travel Insurance for Cadiz
I haven’t ever, not once, travelled without travel insurance, and you shouldn’t either! No matter how careful you are, some things are out of your control, and things go wrong. That’s where travel insurance comes in!
Did the airline lose your luggage? Did you fall ill and need to see a doctor in Cadiz? Is your flight delayed, meaning you miss your connection? No worries – travel insurance has your back.
And when it’s so cheap, there’s no reason not to get it! Travel insurance starts at just €1 per day, and has the potential to save you tens of thousands. I recommend SafetyWing to my readers because it covers a tonne of fun adventure activities and has an easy-to-use online portal.
Click here to get a travel insurance quote!
Is Cadiz Worth Visiting?
Cadiz is definitely worth visiting – even more so in the winter when you can expect pleasant, warm weather – unlike most other places in Europe at this time of year! Cadiz has fascinating historical attractions, a picturesque Old Town, top-tier restaurants and, of course, beaches!
Despite this, though, it still retains its traditional Spanish feel. You’ll love Cadiz if you’re looking for a beach getaway without feeling like you’re in a town that’s been taken over by tourism.
That’s just about everything you need to know to spend one wonderful day in Cadiz, Spain! I hope you found this itinerary helpful, and I hope you have a wonderful time in Cadiz!
If you’re looking for another beach town to visit in Andaulcia, check out my 2 days in Malaga itinerary here!
